‘Continue Along the Bright Path’ of Making a Difference

Addressing members of the Smith class of 2026 at Commencement May 17, student leaders urged fellow graduates to continue to act with “audacity, agency, and authenticity.”

“As Smithies, we share a fierce bond of camaraderie—a knowledge that we share key characteristics and values, cemented by our time here,” said Student Government Association President Sirohi Kumar ’26. “It’s up to us to uphold Smith’s legacy of fighting against fear and close-mindedness. It’s up to us to continue along the bright path lit by Smith’s alums, who have never failed to improve their communities.”

The college awarded 635 undergraduate degrees at its 148th Commencement Sunday, and 49 graduate degrees. Members of the class of 2026 came to Smith from 40 different states and 20 countries.

Senior Class President Nadira Talayee ’26, arrived at Smith from Afghanistan, where, she noted, “girls and women were being denied the very thing that brought me here.”

Her experience at Smith taught Talayee not to let fear get in the way of speaking out about things that matter.

"Say what you need to say even if your voice trembles,” she told classmates gathered in the Quad under an azure sky. “We are stepping into a world that feels increasingly uncertain. And when fear shows up, and it sure will, let it not be the loudest voice in the room."

In her welcoming remarks, Smith President Sarah Willie-LeBreton urged members of the class of 2026 to celebrate “moments of unexpected joy.”

“When you find joy on your doorstep, invite it in, or join it on the stoop,” Willie-LeBreton said. “And don’t forget–no matter what is going on in your life—try to be kind. Seeing the world through the lens of joy and kindness, and with more compassion and understanding, humility and humanity, will make you better at whatever you choose to do.”

This year’s honorary degree recipients—three leaders in early childhood education, athletics, and feminist scholarship—shared words of advice and encouragement for graduates facing an increasingly complex and unsettled world.

Olympian and championship basketball coach Dawn Staley began by acknowledged the contributions of Senda Berenson, "the mother of women's basketball," who officiated at the first collegiate women's basketball game in 1893 on the Smith campus.

She then shared some advice for making a difference, as Berenson did: "Start with knowing yourself," Staley said. "Take the time to truly understand who you are and be okay with it. Then, let that truth guide your choices.”

“You must have a belief in yourself that is far greater than anyone’s disbelief,” Staley told graduates. “And, finally, there is no rivalry among women. Lifting yourself up and lifting up another woman are one and the same. We have to support each other because the truth is, we make the world go around. Without us, it all stops.”

Chizuko Ueno, a citizen of Japan and a pioneering sociologist and feminist theorist, emphasized the importance of acting to end militarism and war.

“In my country, we now have our first woman prime minister. However, the presence of women in power does not automatically guarantee gender justice,” she noted. “What matters is the values that leadership upholds."

"Peace and gender justice are deeply connected. We cannot fully achieve one without the other," Ueno said. "Your sisters, your mothers, and your grandmothers have challenged, fought, struggled for gender justice and peace. Now, it is your turn.”

Environmentalist and early childhood education leader Carol Hillman ’49 reminded graduates that “what we experience in our lives makes us who we are; makes us stronger.”

Hillman, who is 99 and the daughter of a Smithie, shared her experiences being shut out of high school debutant balls because she is Jewish, and failing in her first attempt to be accepted to Smith. (She succeeded the third time).

She went on to earn an honorary doctorate from Bank Street College in New York, and founded the Early Childhood Wisdom Initiative, an organization that recruits older practitioners to mentor the next generation of early childhood professionals.

“I urge you new Smithies, follow your passion, give it your all,” Hillman said. “You have the power to make our planet a better world. I wish you a beautiful journey.”

Commencement weekend featured a host of celebratory activities for students, families, and friends, including dance and music performances, teas, walkways lit by paper lanterns, and the beloved tradition of Ivy Day on May 16, where alums escorted seniors in a joyful rose-and-garland-lined parade on central campus.

More than 900 alums, including those from the classes of 2016, 2006, 1991, 1986, and 1976, were on campus over the weekend celebrating their reunions.

In her closing benediction, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Matilda Cantwell M.S.W. ’96, assured graduates of their ability to shape a better future.

“When you travel from this place, to any place, where freedom to exist and the liberty to speak are challenged, Smith will act as a compass,” Cantwell said, one that will “orient you back and point you forward, to justice, equity, and truth, and love.”